+ -er/-est

We add -er/-est to short adjectives (one-syllable adjectives):

adjective comparative superlative

cheap cheaper the cheapestnear nearer the nearestlong longer the longest

+ -r/-stWe add -r/-st to adjectives that end with -e:

adjective comparative superlative

late later latest

+ -g -gger

With short adjectives that end with one vowel and one consonant (e.g. big), we double the consonant:

adjective comparative superlative big bigger the biggesthot hotter the hottestwet wetter the wettest

-w + -er / -est

We dont double -w:adjective comparative superlative

low lower lowest

upper-intermediate pocket guide

Oxford

Comparative and superlative adjectives

A pocket guide to comparative and superlative adjectivesMake your own pocket guide to comparative and superlative adjectives by following the instructions. Printpage1. Putpage1backintheprinter.

Printpage2ontheothersideofthepaper.

Cutalongthedottedlines. Foldthepaper.

You now have your pocket guide to comparative and superlative adjectives to take with you anywhere.

You can find all of these adjectives in your copy of Oxford Living Grammar Upper-intermediate.

fold

fold

fold

fold

cut

Copyright Oxford University Press

more / most

We use more / the most before adjectives of two or more syllables:

adjective comparative superlative

expensive more expensive the most expensivebeautiful more beautiful the most beautifulpolluted more polluted the most polluted

-y -ier / -iest

But note that with adjectives ending with -y (e.g. happy), we change -y to -ier / -iest:

adjective comparative superlative

happy happier the happiestlucky luckier the luckiesteasy easier the easiestdirty dirtier the dirtiest

Irregular adjectives:

adjective comparative superlative

good better the bestbad worse the worstfar further the farthestlittle less the least

fewer and less

Note that we use fewer with plural nouns, and less with uncountable nouns (e.g. money):

There are fewer shops in the centre of town than there used to be.John earns less money than Mary.

Learn and practise grammar in context

Comparative and superlative adjectives

fold

foldfold

foldcut 1

upper-intermediate pocket guide

Oxford

Copyright Oxford University Press